POSTGAME NOTES: Cain (quickly) sums up his season; Perez keeps cutting them down

“The first half was not good,” Cain said. “The second half was much better.”

Well. Yeah. Cain was 5-6 with a 5.06 ERA before the All-Star break, 3-4 with a 2.36 ERA after it (that’s a lot of second-half Cainings). He said the 10-day rest may have helped, but insisted that he never had any healthy issues. He doesn’t have any issues now, either, but Guillermo Moscoso will start on Sunday in place of Cain. The Giants say he has thrown enough this year.

“I would have been fine going out there,” Cain said. “There’s nothing health-wise, but they just felt that that was enough. We’ll go with that decision.”

General manager Brian Sabean spoke at length Friday about the need to upgrade the rotation, and it sure appears that will be the focus now that Hunter Pence is back in the fold. Cain agreed that it needs to get better.
“I feel like in the second half we rebounded,” he said. “The first half, we definitely started slow. But we started clicking as a rotation and we need to find a way to do that at the beginning of the year next year.”

Cain will be a big part of that. He was back to his Cy Young Candidate ways after the break, and the Giants are hopeful that it’s a full-season thing next year. Privately, many in the organization think Cain felt the stress of a full 2012 postseason. He denies that, but the numbers from this season are pretty telling. What changed at the All-Star break?

“Maybe it was because I was thinking it couldn’t get any worse,” Cain said, smiling.

— Pence will be re-introduced during an 11 a.m. press conference tomorrow. As always, I’ll be tweeting away @AlexPavlovic.

— There are 17 National League outfielders with at least eight outfield assists, including Juan Perez and Yasiel Puig, who each have eight. Puig’s arm is ridiculous, there’s no denying that. Still, Perez has tied him while playing more than 600 fewer innings. Perez has played 210 innings; the next closest on that list of 17 is Marcell Ozuna, who is at 628 innings.

Alex Pavlovic

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have to offer 4/50-60 minimum and an option or the freak will be gone.

many teams especially big teams are looking for arms. NYY, LA Angels, even the Dudgers. NYY has no pitching w/ fatso Sebathia is getting fat by the minures. NYY could drop 4 or 5 yr contract. The dudgers might too. Can’t discount the crazy Art Morino.

It is all about respect now for Timmy. 5/90M for a Row Jr but you offered me 2yr ? no sir.

channelclemente

Perez is a lethal little ‘David’ with a sling.

channelclemente

With his numbers, and that regression rate, anything over 2 years is crazy. It’s not the money, it’s the potential dead weight in the rotation, and on the staff.

pacman68

We think Timmy will get shelled if he leaves. But, if he goes to a team with a better offense. I don’t know… he could win some games.

dj

there are dead weights on the team already and Pence is next. Do you know how many HR Pence hit in this meaningless month ?12 and that equals the record by BB. Pence will never repeat it again.

The Oracle

I’m really glad they signed Pence. Yes, $90 million is astronomical, but that’s the market. The Giants had to pay up or lose him and go down two outfielders. For his part, Pence showed, once again, who he is by not testing free agency. If I were an owner, I’d feel much better about giving a big contract to someone who’s character I respect and admire, like Hunter Pence.

If you want to get an idea of what contract negotiations were like when the owners had all of the power, read Ball Four again. I don’t begrudge the players the money. They’re talented enough, and have worked hard enough, to make it in a business that generates an incredible amount of revenue per employee. They’re entitled to a big piece of the pie. What I like about Pence is that he seems to feel more lucky than entitled.

dj

it does not matter. in his mind, he helped resurrect the g’s after BB. now he is looking for respect

pacman68

REASON WHY I THINK TIM IS GONE.
1. Bochy has done the guy no favors. Trotting out his worst lineup every time the kid pitches. Resting other pitchers and riding Timmy to death.

2. Nothing else to prove with the Giants. Last 2 years haven’t been kind to Timmy. Just like cutting his hair. He will cut away from the Giants looking for a fresh start. Can’t say I blame him.

3. Timmy doubts himself. Thinks that going someplace else he will find what has been missing the past 2 years. Soon he will find that his stuff is gone and he should just be a reliever … a damn good one at that.

pacman68

I agree with you but Never pay a pitcher on past performances.

channelclemente

He’s a bullpen’s nightmare. Offense won’t save him, unless he changes his style of pitching, and discovers how to place a pitch where he wants.

channelclemente

Have you even looked at his history? I didn’t think so.

channelclemente

Oh please, Lincecum is his own worst enemy.

dj

Pence will be 31 next yr. Guys over 30 don’t do well unless Bochy and the G’s can feed them very good vitamins. How old is Pujols when Morino signed him? 32 and Pujols has to be considered one of the all time greats.

pacman68

That’s what I’m saying CC. He has head problems.

pacman68

The Giants had to sign Pence. They had no choice. Can’t go into the off season with left and right field open.

pacman68

Now what team is stupid enough to give Cano 10 years at 300m??

South City Jim

Pujols may end up being both one of the all-time greats (St. Louis) and all-time busts (LAA).

channelclemente

Blame his daddy if you want, but Bochy, please.

pacman68

He is also a slap hitter.

channelclemente

No he’s not.

pacman68

Bochy has done the kid no favors. They rode that guy hard as soon as he got to the majors.

mdubuque

RIGHT NOW TIM LINCECUM is a better pitcher than Matt Cain!

Look at the stats since June!

pacman68

He’s junk and you know it. Garbage.

dj

so what ? Pujols is 100 times better than Pence and he has failed after 32.

channelclemente

BS, and you know it.

channelclemente

go troll the catacombs.

pacman68

Go look at the line ups Bochy use to throw out there on a regular basis when Tim pitched. Garbage.

channelclemente

I have, and you’re just fantasizing to make a point.

channelclemente

Spit out that koolaid lad, before it makes you crazy.

channelclemente

What a Putz.

channelclemente

Go troll somewhere else.

channelclemente

….or thorazine.

dj

so I am a troll now ? the truth hurts

channelclemente

I don’t know if you’re a troll or not given I can’t see you, but your either trolling, or unimaginably ignorant. I kind of gave you the benefit of the doubt.

South City Jim

Considering the other options: Petit (?), Gaudin (carpol tunnel), Vogey (37) and Moscoso (look up “journeyman”), they’ll need to sign Lincecum for at least two years to bridge the gap to the next generation. Even with that, they probably need at least one other FA starter.

South City Jim

Yeah, that’s nuts. I don’t think his power would translate well in any of the west coast ballparks but the bums are so filthy rich that I guess anything is possible with them.

2holehitting

$19M per year hear is the same as $17M per year in many other states where BBall liives. Just have to account for that 10% state tax that helps balloon the pay they require. Anything over $15 was too much as it limits others. Posey and Pence are now what? $35M of their $65M non pitching payroll? Add Pagan and your at $46M. No wonder the rest of the team sucks and they can not afford backups

2holehitting

Yes the truth hurts as they have no way to rebut them as they have no players that are not Roid era players that improved after 32 or so.

The Pit bulls like Channel and Clutch will trash you relentlessly instead of discussing the pros and cons. That is their job, that is what they are paid to do.

Wether Pence will decline or not, his stats in the last month whith the Giants out of it and not pressures he went bonkers. In LA, they had clinched their spot who cares,

The reality is $19M for Pence $20M for Posey $12M for Pagan $6M for Scutero, they are at $58M of their $65M non pitching payroll. They are going to have to skimp elsewhere. Can you say short, third Left and first?

ClutchUp

Jesus Christ Pacman are you sleeping with Sonia? He just threw a friggin No Hitter this year! Oh yea of little faith. You just predicted PENCE was gone when they were in New York. Go see Doctor Phil!

E-B

Pac–agree w/ you on that, primarly, starting 2011.

Remember, he seemed to always get Orlando Cabrera as SS, w/ Brandon Crawford sitting on the bench. It was insane.

And, in NYC, he got a huffalo in the OF, instead of good D, as well as Kontos w/ inherited runners.

I started noticing the horrible l/u’s, horrible D starting 2011…just about the same time they wanted him to pitch to contact. Yah, O-Cab? That was total BS.

Looking back, it all seemed to start the summer of 2011…perhaps right around the time Timmy refused the Jared Weaver-type 85M/5 deal that summer (it was only revealed months later)?

dunno, but i definitely noticed.

E-B

aw, CC, you’re a scientist, right?

Pac does have a valid point here about l/u’s, esp. D and bullpen relievers.

I note the l/u’s starting in 2011, esp. starting summertime. O-Cab was typically assigned to his starts, to many many protests here, while Crawford (after he’d been called back) was available. It was like a sore thumb, it was so obvious.

And, this year, the bullpen’s allowed a staggering 68% of inherited runners for Timmy; league average is 28% (ref. Hank Schluman twitter, 9/26). Is that a coincidence or random? That stat really sticks out like a sore thumb.

Ya must have noticed this?

Sonia H

Agreed. Those are facts.

stickman

Here’s a slight update on an earlier comment. Maybe the question the SF brass should be asking themselves is whether Timmy can go one more season as a starter coupled with perhaps two as a round-robin fireman, good for anything from a batter or two up to a long-haul of 2-3 innings. If the answer is yes, an offer of 3 years at $15M per with a $5M signing bonus should hardly be money down the drain.

Key to this concept is that Timmy would be the essential bridge for the rotation, speculating that SF picks up a serviceable third starter through free agency or trade and that Surkamp or Escobar could edge out Vogie or Petit as the #5.

Bullpen looks to shape up nicely for ’14, particularly if Cody Hall joins the assembly. So if Timmy is re-signed at a respectable sum of 50 Mil for a reasonable 3-year contact; prospects of a stabilized staff are much improved.

Without #55 it might be quite a scramble for the staff to jell.

E-B

OK, Pac…that last point 3 is not true, at least, the stats do not predict such a demise. (in fact, you’d better look at Cainers stats instead).

Timmy’s got upside, xFIP better than FIP, he’s still got SO stuff…and didn’t he just hold a playoff-type LAD l/u to 2 earnies over 7, as well throw a no-hitter?

Also, Pac, check out what Jon Smoltz said about Timmy’s future–he could do anything he wanted, etc. I will find the link and have a listen. Smoltz is a baseball expert, so I think his opinion is significant.

SurfCity

And they would have paid close to the same to pick up a FA outfielder of close to the same ability.

Sonia H

Giants really blew it with Wilson.
I just hope Timmy says sayonara to the Giants in a more peaceful way.
Timmy will sign with another team without making too much noise.

E-B

stick…always appreciate your well-written, thoughful posts.

while i have no real idea of numbers, i think they really have to consider their rivals to the south, yah, dem bumbos, whose starting rotation is in a similar state, i.e., w/ only 2 permanent starters.

LAD: Kershaw, Grienke, ? ? ?
SFG: Bum, Cain, ? ? ?

I believe whoever locks up Timmy will have the balance of power.

Also, recall…Timmy threw a 148 pitch no hitter, and yesterday, faced a playoff l/u of Puig-Crawford-GooGooGoggles-AGonzo-Kemp,
holding them to 2 earnies over 7. He also dueled Price beautifully, and the run that scored really was unearned.

If we look at Cainer’s and Timmy’s pitching stats this year, most notably, FIP & xFIP, which are “better” predictors of a pitcher’s talent level, Timmy’s ahead of Cainers. If Cainers is making 25.5M AAV, well, what does that mean for Timmy?

I think his agents have a valid argument here, and it remains to be seen how the SFG FO will handle this.

I think in order to make the deal go, the SFG will have to offer him a handsome deal, because he certainly will receive one on the open market, esp. for top-tier teams whose draft picks will be slim at the bottom of the heap.

South City Jim

Good post but I would contend that Ryu is a permanent starter, but your point is well taken.

dj

The bums have 3 top starters then Capuano and Norosco.

Capuano will be gone so they will be looking for #4 arm, hello ?

DrLefty

I agree that Timmy has had some bad luck with lineups, defense, and relievers over the past couple years.

I think it’s a huge stretch to imply that Bochy did that maliciously to sabotage Tim. Tim has mostly been at the front end of the rotation. That means he’s always going up against other teams’ top pitchers. Many of them are lefties, and in 2011 and 2013, the Giants’ lineup was weaker against lefties. Also, because of the top pitchers, he wasn’t getting much run support. The offense was historically bad in 2011, and it was pretty bad for stretches this season, too.

I’m not Bochy’s hugest fan at the moment, but why in the world would he want to undermine Timmy? He’s their highest-paid player this year. They need him functioning well to be successful. There has never been one whisper of any bad blood between Bochy and Timmy. On the contrary, Bochy always speaks of him with the highest regard and always stood behind him even in his darkest days last season.

I agree there’s been a constellation of unfortunate factors that haven’t always served Timmy well. To suggest it was some kind of fiendish plot, though–there’s no evidence to support that, and it just flat-out makes no sense.

channelclemente

It’s a lousy BP, and Lincecum, unless he changes, is on his way to being a lousy pitcher.

EB: It is a tricky situation for the owners and upper management when it comes to the most prominent face of the franchise. Timmy has evidently not lost it as a pitcher, but he has as a hard-thrower. He does seem to be able to hold up physically. So i see my financial proposal as more of an earnest money approach than as a final offer.

Because of his inconsistency over the past couple seasons i would be a bit chary about a deal for more than three years, but if the market trends that way with him he could be worth more than $50M for three more.

E-B

Sonia,

Actually, I’ve been a big Wilson supporter all these years, even after he went w/ the bumbos…

but, after his stunt last night, upstaging Timmy’s last start as he did, well, he just showed NO CLASS at all.

In perspective, I think the SFG did the right thing, because Wilson showed himself as enormously selfish and self-centered.

As for Timmy, I luv that kid so much, but I can be objective too. I tell ya, he’s the best FA starter on the market, and he’s got much more upside than the lot.

Where ever he lands, I will root for him always.

I hope it will be w/ the SFG.

I really wish you could understand that much of the SFG fan base loves this kid and they want him back, and it is hurtful when you make repeated blanket statements about Timmy leaving us.

I believe, after observing him all these years, that he is a very easy going, forgiving person, and he would never leave a team out of spite, which I gather, you seem to believe. If so, then you don’t see the same strong character that I see in this kid. He has a very very big heart, so pls, don’t diminish him to us.

The only way Timmy leaves, is if the management fails to make a good faith offer and effort to re-sign him, at a fair market price.

DrLefty

C’mon, Pac. “Junk”? “Garbage”? This guy has as many assists as Yasiel Puig in 25% of the innings. That’s certainly worth giving him another look. Nobody’s saying he should be the everyday left fielder or even in a platoon. But he could be an excellent 4th or 5th. He at least deserves a look.

DrLefty

Ryu is in the top 10 in the NL in ERA. I’d say he’s a permanent starter.

E-B

Stick–good post, and yah, it’ll be tricky indeed. I just hope they cut a deal quickly.

(Also, as for being a power pitcher, I felt that he began the transition in 2010. In the NLDS, NLCS, WS, his FA velo was 90/91 way back then. I have never understood the notion that it happened last year.)

Sonia H

Well, that’s very lovely of you to say those things about Timmy.
I also believe he has a big heart, with all those scouts telling him he was too small to pitch and teams rejecting him because of his size.
But, I´m sorry, it looks like he is leaving SF and, in my opinion, that is the best for him.

DrLefty

Your numbers are high. Buster makes $11 mil. next year, not $20. Pagan makes a bit over $10 mil., not $12. Pence will make about $18 mil.

DrLefty

Baggs had a piece this morning where he said “sources in the industry” are predicting a 3 year/$30 mil. contract for Timmy.

Moooooooooose

1. Garbage.
2. Garbage.
3. Garbage.

South City Jim

Interesting. I guess i could see him going somewhere else for that but if the Giants offer it to him I suspect he’ll spit on it (metaphorically speaking).

ClutchUp

Don’t throw around nouns and adjectives reserved for Woj, it demeans your credibility.

MLBSF

Moscoso is pitching tomorrow? I hope the Giants are serving up refunds for this exhibition, masked as a professional baseball game. Talk about highway robbery. smh.

Also tell Nicole Vogelsong we offer Ryan $2 million to come back as a middle reliever. It’s a good deal and the best we can do.

I’ve never come to terms as to why so many think Lincecum could be a great reliever (even the so called ‘experts’ and media analysts and former MLB pitchers. On a short 4-man playoff rotation, I can see it. But not during regular season play. He’s a starter, as I see it, succeed or fail.

High walk rate. Doesn’t hold runners well. Steal rate is high against him. Now sitting at fairly ‘average’ pitch speed. Yeah, his breaking stuff is still capable of being top notch. But he can also throw a scud or wild pitch. Not exactly THE reliever I’d “go to” in high leverage spots. And low leverage spots, well… Most slightly above-average relievers would do just fine too.

3/$50M should get it done *IF* he wants to stay. If he wants to test FA and/or a change of scenery and/or return to SEA… He’ll likely walk regardless of the dollar/years offered here. He’s shown he isn’t ‘all about the money.’ If he walks, the QO nets us the sandwich. He won’t stay for one year on the QO, why would he?

Pence. Had to sign him, just had this convo with a friend today. Bats don’t come here to SF. We had the need. He loves it here. Teammates, org, fans, city all love him right back. He’s played here and succeeded at AT&T and Petco and Chavez, that’s tough enough to do. He has ownage on LAD, that helps. His speeches (last year and last night) were prolific. He would’ve gotten strong offers on the FA market. We had NO choice. Prolly a bit of an overpay, but bats don’t sign here. Did I mention that already?

I’d be shocked if we sign Pito Abreu. But happy for it.

Sandoval. Can’t see him being traded. I heard/inferred how frustrated Sabean is with him. But it sure seems like they’re going to ride out his walk year in hopes of him being awesome. Trade deadline could be an option, if we need it. Not sooner IMO. $8.25M for potentially a potential 25+ HR switch-hitting .300+ avg bat? If you can get James Shields or David Price or Jose Bautista then you just jump at it now. But for one-year of Sandoval, with his weight issues and regression… What team would risk that-for-this? Yankees are about the only ones I’d say. Not much there that we’d want, that they’d give up.

South City Jim

Unless you enjoy six hit innings, don’t watch the replay.

South City Jim

One in 41,000 chance of winning a 2014 Toyota…LOL

I’m glad this season’s coming to a merciful end as well.

ClutchUp

Next Commish replacing Selig
-Rob Manfred or
-Tim Brosnan or
-Bob Bowman
End of story

ClutchUp

McCovey Cove is calling you. They have the weighted bricks available.

DrLefty

My tickets were a gift, and I’m winning the Toyota. Not sure how I’m driving both cars home, though.

South City Jim

I’m rooting for you…good luck!

DrLefty

I actually did win a raffle at a Giants fanfest years ago. $500 in Chevron gas! Pretty cool, huh?

South City Jim

Not bad. If you win the car will the people who gave you the tickets still be your friend? 🙂

DrLefty

Also, at the same event we bought a Thomas Kinkade limited edition print of the 2002 World Series. $100 for the Giants Community Fund, and he was there signing them, too. After Kinkade passed last year, I looked up how much those prints are now worth.–$3000!

So that was a pretty good day. I’m not a Kinkade fan, but the painting of the park is beautiful and hangs in our living room.

DrLefty

Actually, a former student bought the tickets for me as a surprise because she knows I love the Giants. 🙂

South City Jim

Only thing I ever one was a credit union raffle where i won a three day trip to Las Vegas, where I had fun but spent and lost a lot of money.

South City Jim

Nice. After you win the car, the only other highlight of tomorrow’s game might happen in the 8th inning when they put Lincecum in as a pinch runner and Zito attempts to sacrifice him to second.

DrLefty

Then MadBum will get the save and get his 200th strikeout!

South City Jim

Seriously, i wish they would do that. What’s Bum gonna say the other day, I don’t want Zito to get a start. I love that kid.

Congratulations! You won a lunch with a former Giants player, of your choice…

Oh yeah, no brainer! Juan Mari…

… of Orlando Cabrera or Bill Hall. (Lunch expenses are the winner’s responsibility).

Bapah

“I’ve never come to terms as to why so many think Lincecum could be a great reliever (even the so called ‘experts’ and media analysts and
former MLB pitchers. On a short 4-man playoff rotation, I can see it. But not during regular season play. He’s a starter, as I see it,
succeed or fail.”

carmot- that’s why many here believe some of your baseball acumen is still rather superficial.
Anybody that knows what Timmy is and knows how he does things and what his nature is and knows something about baseball would have no trouble seeing the obvious link. I’m sure someone here will clarify it for you, but I think this is a perfect opportunity to work on your “baseball think.” I’m not really on your case. I like what you write, especially when you aren’t trying so hard. I’m sorry this sounds condescending, but think it through. You’ll come up with the reason. What does Timmy do?

FuriousAndRagingCarmot

I’m a sucker, what can I say? lol. Just saw the top of the 5th. Juan Perez! Oh my goodness. If San Francisco ever comes under siege, I want his gun by my side.

South City Jim

I generally agree with Pac but not on Perez. He has a lot of promise.

DrLefty

I think so, too. His ABs are looking better all the time, and he plays the game with energy. I like that.

408 svl

heh,heh,heh. right on, dude.

Bapah

I’m with SCJim. It really ought to happen!

FuriousAndRagingCarmot

He’s better as a starter and has more value as a starter, and can have the opportunity to work out of his own jams as a starter. That’s simply my opinion based on some of my observations.

If you feel Lincecum would work well in 60 GP, I’d tend to disagree. He has a lot of struggles in the first inning of games: control mostly, runs scored also. His delivery time to home, even in his slide step, even as he’s improved it this year; is still sub-par and he gets run on.

You trying to explain that my opinion makes me somehow less knowledgeable than you or the “many here” that believe [my] “baseball accumen is still rather superficial”?

I’m fine with you (or ‘many others’) disagreeing with me. I gave some justifications, that I think fairly credible. Just because you might think otherwise doesn’t make me think you are ignorant. If you think I am ignorant, and you have read my posts over time… Then, maybe I am being persuaded to think you are indeed ignorant.

Bapah

Fine, have it your way. If you don’t want to analyze it further, OK. It sounded like you didn’t understand the thinking behind the opinion. No Sweat.

South City Jim

Perhaps someday someone can explain to me why Lane Kiffin is still coaching USC, or even better, why he got the job in the first place?

Bapah

I think it was based on his handshake and choice of ties.

DrLefty

Please, God, let this be the last year! I’m finding myself torn between rooting for the team to win because I’m an alum or rooting for the team to lose so Kiffin can be gone. smh

South City Jim

The sad part is that you know his Dad wants out but can’t walk out on his own son. I think you should root for them to lose just to make sure they can him.

MLBSF

Shame on Lefty rooting for an LA team. smh

MLBSF

Well that wasn’t very neighborly. smh

FuriousAndRagingCarmot

Anybody that knows what Timmy is and knows how he does things and what his nature is and knows something about baseball…

I’m sure someone here will clarify it for you…

You’ll come up with the reason. What does Timmy do?

I’m sorry. This doesn’t seem like a very substantive argument IMO. If you care to explain, you could convince me. I remain open-minded. I see your *opinion*, I just don’t see any reasoning that justifies it, behind your opinion.

You may feel my ‘baseball accumen’ is lacking. So, like, last November when our 2013 schedule was posted and I pointed directly to the 33 games in 34 days and 46 games in 48 days as the keys to our season? You don’t recognize any insight there?

Giants went 23-45 (.338) during these two stretches and 52-40 (.565) during the rest of the season.

41 games ago I predicted 72 wins is what it would take to ‘earn’ a protected draft pick. With one game left to play, the Giants would pick #9th at 72 wins and #12th at 73 wins.

How do YOU account for such projections? Certainly not ‘baseball accumen.’

MLBSF

And you already know the winner will be on the club level. I remember at Candlestick all the big winners were in the luxury suites and everyone would boo.

MLBSF

OK my bad Lefty. Hope you’re sitting on the club level, smh

Bapah

Really, Carmot, It wasn’t an argument. I was just helping you guide your thinking. I’m over it; give it a rest. You’ll always be able to out-type me.

South City Jim

Anyone else surprised that Verlander appears to be the 3rd starter for the Tigers? I know the numbers say Scherzer, Sanchez then Verlander but I figured Leland would go with Verlander #1 anyway. There was a time when reputation trumped performance…i guess that time has past. Interesting.

FuriousAndRagingCarmot

As it stands, going into the final day:

– #4 pick: Props to CHC staying ‘ahead’ of MIN by going 4-16, even if you played some great teams.

– #5 pick: MIN for holding the #5 pick position, going 3-15 in hopes of catching CHC for the 4th pick. To be fair, at least you had great teams you lost to.

– PHI for moving from #13 to #8 in just two weeks by going 2-8 in their last 10 games. Being able to lose 6 of 7 against the Mets and Marlins is no easy feat. Even I didn’t see that coming.

– SEA shockingly has taken sole #6 pick. Helps if you can be swept by HOU like they accomplished. Going 5-13 is an impressive feat. Way to take advantage of that suspension to Montero.

– I am grateful MIL has gone 11-5, likely finishing with the #11 pick. I did not like the fact they could’ve benefited, with a protected pick, from Braun’s suspension.

Oh, the integrity of Major League baseball during the final few weeks. Ain’t it grand? lol.

FuriousAndRagingCarmot

Did Perez seriously bare hand that ball spinning down the LF boards on the hit by Venable in the 9th? Yeah, slo-mo just confirmed to me that he did. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a hard grounder bare handed like that, it hit the side wall less than SIX feet from where he picked it up.

That’s some sort of brass (and confidence) Perez has. Ball had to have all kinds of spin on it. Always looking to get the throw in quickly (to 2B in this case).

Maybe it isn’t as uncommon as I think. But it had just hit the board a split second earlier. Is this kind of play brash? (If it gets by him) Or ‘good’ aggressive? (If he gets a chance to throw out the runner at 2B).

Tough way to go into the off-season for Kickham. Last winter I asked which Giants player was likely most impatient for ST (Pagan or Torres perhaps?). This year, the winter might feel longest for Kickham. Just miserable. I feel for him.

Eleuthero

Yes, write a critical post without explaining to us the “it” that Carmot does not understand. You’re anointing yourself as a guru. Okay, we bow at your frigging feet … now tell us something CLEAR or stay away from the keyboard.

Eleuthero

The great thing about failed seasons is that THEY END. I’m tired of the awards ceremonies and the turning of players into bigger than life figures. It used to be that kids would idolize Mickey Mantle but now you see adults wearing, for example, a Buster Posey shirt. I have nothing whatsoever against Buster, Sergio, or most other Giant’s players but I don’t want to see middle-aged men hero-worshipping sports stars, who are just paid mercenaries. It’s PRE-adolescent.

Yes, I like certain players more than others for their talent like any other fan. However, I’m NEVER going to hitch my social appearance to the Giants Dugout Store.

CB – The lover of baseball

Whaaaaa. As a middle aged male currently wearing my Buster Posey jersey at 2 am on the eve of the last game of the season may I just say, “No one cares what you think!”

CB – The lover of baseball

Whatever. So we suck. Big deal. I had fun. If you had a crappy season no one to blame but you. We aren’t going to win the WS every year. Soon I will sit on the Internet commenting on message boards all winter long. But first I have one more game to go to.

Eleuthero

And no one cares what you think, either. It’s just a blog. However, my commentary makes a statement much larger than you or this blog. We’re a nation of celebrity lick-licks who read too little, watch TV too much, and narrow the parameters of their lives to “the big game”. The local guys who dump your garbage, pour your coffee, and wait your table are performing a more valuable service to humanity that any guy who’s making ten mil a year for throwing, catching, passing, shooting, or hitting balls of various dimensions.

Keep being a little boy and wearing your hero Buster’s shirt. Adolescence in America is allowed to last ’til 45.

2holehitting

Never been to a final Giants game. Does the team call down a fan for each man on the 40 man roster then the players give then their game jerseys like in Hockey? That is fan appreciation if they do.

Bapah

Good, I knew this would draw this comment from you. You tell him.

ClutchUp

I’ve been to dozens of game 162’s. That use to be the ONLY day of appreciation. Cars, Boats, Free trips. Now they do the whole weekend.

WooHoo Will Lane Kiffen ever be a head coach again? Tennessee must be throwing a party after slinking off to “his dream job”

He’ll be workin for Seattle Pete very soon I would imagine?

ClutchUp

Mickey was an icon but his final years were sad. He should still be with ala Mays but way too much adult beverages. Sad!

ClutchUp

The YMCA has free can we get along classes. Conflict Resolution for Blogs. :=) 75 degrees in Palo Alto later today!

ClutchUp

How prophetic of you!

ClutchUp

FWIW Monte Kiffin was no longer coaching for Lane…

DrLefty

Me, too, and I’m looking forward to it and will miss the Giants every day until next season starts.

DrLefty

Done and done. And Monte Kiffin left after last season. He’s back in the NFL.

DrLefty

Can’t help it. They’re my alma mater. USC gave me a full ride to get my graduate degree. I have my career today because of them. The least I can do is root for the football team. Loyalty is a high value for me.

DrLefty

Scherzer led the MLB in wins and Sanchez won the AL ERA title. Pretty nice “problem” for Leyland to have, I’d say!

DrLefty

Well whaddya know. Prayer works again.

DrLefty

Nope, view reserve. But I might check out that new app with the seat upgrades, since my tickets were free to start with.

DrLefty

That’s actually a good call. He could end up working for Pete Carroll–they did have some great years together. You know, the players loved Kiffin. When Barkley decided to stay for his senior year, he did this whole elaborate thing at his house to surprise Kiffin with the decision. You don’t do that for a guy you hate.

ClutchUp

Monte Kiffin=Dallas Cowboys

408 svl

same here, dude.

stickman

Already shuffling into line at the addiction clinic. Feeling the jonesing coming on praecox. No Giants baseball after today for the five longest, coldest, darkest months of the year. At least i’ll be in good company with this bunch.

408 svl

yup! i never wear any jerseys other than black and orange jackets. and of course, xl shirts with SF GIANTS logo on it.

South City Jim

Didn’t know. Thanks.

408 svl

i predict there will be a lot of comments after last game of the 2013 Baseball Season of SF GIANTS.

South City Jim

To each his own. I for one, like you, prefer not to wear a jersey of a specific player, but don’t think any less of those that do.

avwh

Really classy all the way around: Lane Kiffin was pulled off the team bus and fired in the LAX parking lot after yesterday’s game. (Funny what giving up 62 points in a conference game does to the influential alums, I guess)

South City Jim

In LA the pecking order for sports is (1) Lakers (2) USC football, (3) bums and (4) Kings. If it hadn’t of been for a successful bum season, Kiffin may have been shown the door sooner. But I agree with you, another classless act by our brethren to the south.

ClutchUp

CB- what Lefty said! Don’t let Logician Eurethero get to you. Naked girls with too many freckles get to him. 2Hole is a Cub fan who once said Rick Rueshels nickname was the whale (wrong) and has crammed down our throats the misgivings of Belt and Buster. Said Hectors “winning percentage” when he played vs. Others. (Ludicrous and made up stat.)
SF had a bad season … so do many teams. The beauty is the GAME of baseball not one particular team.